The group plans to initiate the procurement process for the project at its next gathering. Chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the meeting focused on the highway, which aims to enhance regional economic integration.
Currently in its study phase, the project is undergoing detailed research, planning, and design.
Umahi highlighted its history, noting that it was initiated in 2013 and has received significant funding support from the African Development Bank. He stressed that the meeting was crucial for finalising the design and moving closer to implementation.
He also mentioned that heads of ECOWAS member states have come together to support the project, which has progressed through various stages over the past 11 years, including design, environmental impact assessments, and funding strategies.
Ghana’s Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Boakye, emphasized the vital role of infrastructure, particularly highways, in fostering socio-economic development.
He pointed out how improved road networks can enhance trade, tourism, and economic activities, drawing parallels to the economic boom experienced in the United States.
The Lagos-Abidjan highway project, scheduled to begin in 2025, is part of the larger Dakar-Lagos Corridor and stands as one of ECOWAS’s flagship development initiatives.
Spanning approximately 1,068 kilometers, it will connect five ECOWAS member countries—Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, and Nigeria—traversing eight border towns from Eric Moore to Abidjan. The project is financed by the African Development Bank.